GOP candidates distance selves from Bush

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Republican incumbents returning to their districts across the United States are distancing themselves from their unpopular president, The Hill reported Monday.

In Minnesota, Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann -- who in 2006 comment she was "thrilled" to be associated with George Bush, said during a recent debate her Democratic opponent "is more in line with President Bush's policies than I am" and that she would welcome Obama to her district if he is elected president, The Hill said.

Similarly, when asked to rate the commander in chief, Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., said Bush "has served well" but noted he differed with the president on illegal immigration and the recent economic bailout, the Washington publication said.

The Bush administration came in for criticism from first-term Nevada Congressman Dean Heller, who the Las Vegas Sun said slammed Treasury Secretary Henry Paulsen as "born without ears."

Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., has pointed out he voted to confirm there were intelligence flaws in the run-up to the Iraq war, and The Hill said the Omaha World-Herald reported Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., has made it clear he voted four times to override Bush vetos.

Still, some Republicans are trying to use some aspects of Bush's policies, such as his tax cuts, as positives, The Hill noted, with former Republican Kansas state treasurer Lynn Jenkins making the tax cuts a centerpiece of her congressional campaign.